THE National Project Coordinator of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Aminu Bodinga Mohammed has hinted at the expansion of the project to cover the 36 States of the federation.
Speaking in Calabar at the annual training and retreat for staff of the project, Bodinga said RAAMP is geared towards making remarkable impacts across the country hence the need to extend the project to all states.
In a signed statement by the Development Communication Officer, RAAMP, Khadija Ishaq and made available to News Point Nigeria, the coordinator who noted that, the successes recorded since the start of the project in 2008 with Cross River and Kaduna States had paved way for the project expansion expressed delight at the increase in the number of participating States to 20 States.
He urged all participating States to be more active in the implementation of the project as this would enable them access more funds required to expand rural road infrastructure in their States.
Mohammed stated that, the introduction of technology in the implementation of the project would reduce security threats being faced on the project.
“Some of the State Project Coordinators are doing very well. All hands must be on deck to achieve the goals of the project. There will be more funding if we are able to do the job well. This is service to humanity and whatever is borrowed now has far more value in future.
“We can always do more and not rest on our oars. We are looking at making the project multi-phased. We are also introducing technology in the implementation of the project because we believe that using technology will reduce security threats”, he stressed.
Also speaking at the training, the World Bank Tasks Team Leader, Engr Olatunji Ahmed allayed fears of the challenges that may hinder the smooth running of the project.
He assured of the readiness of World Bank in ensuring a seamless implementation process.
Staff underwent training on project management, team building in service delivery and Systemic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP), amongst others.